RECORD OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE MATTER OF:	DOCKET NUMBER: BC-2018-00742

XXXXXXXXXXXXX	COUNSEL: XXXXX
	
	HEARING REQUESTED: NO	

APPLICANT’S REQUEST

1.  Award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

2.  Award of the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award (Administratively Corrected)

APPLICANT’S CONTENTIONS

During basic training, he shot expert and was awarded the marksmanship ribbon; however, this award is not listed on his DD Form 214, Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty.  

The applicant’s complete submission is at Exhibit A.

STATEMENT OF FACTS

The applicant is an honorably discharged Air Force senior airman (E-4).  

For more information, see the excerpt of the applicant’s record at Exhibit B and the advisory at Exhibit C.

AIR FORCE EVALUATION

AFPC/DP3SP recommends denying award of the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.  A thorough review of the applicant’s submission and official military record, failed to produce documentation that could verify he qualified expert with either the M-16 or issued handgun.  According to Air Force Manual (AFMAN) 36-2806, Awards and Memorialization Program, dated 10 Jun 19,  the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon is awarded to Regular Air Force, Air National Guard and Air Force Reserve members, who, after 1 Jan 63, qualify as “Expert” with either the M-16 rifle (to include the M-4 and GAU-5) or an issued handgun on the Air Force qualification course, an appropriate orientation course prescribed in other Air Force Instructions, other Military Services’ qualification course, or who satisfactorily complete the Combat Rifle Program.  AF Form 522, Ground Weapons Training Data and USAF Firearms Qualification, or a letter from the small arms marksmanship monitor is used as the source documentation for this award.

To grant relief would be contrary to the criteria established by AFMAN 36-2806 and AFI 36-2654, Combat Arms Program.

The complete advisory opinion is at Exhibit C.

APPLICANT’S REVIEW OF AIR FORCE EVALUATION

The Board sent a copy of the advisory opinion to the applicant on 22 Oct 21 for comment (Exhibit D), but has received no response.

FINDINGS AND CONCLUSION

1.  The application was not timely filed.

2.  The applicant exhausted all available non-judicial relief before applying to the Board.

3.  After reviewing all Exhibits, the Board concludes the applicant is not the victim of an error or injustice.  The Board concurs with the rationale and recommendation of AFPC/DP3SP and finds a preponderance of the evidence does not substantiate the applicant’s contentions.  The Board also notes the applicant did not file the application within three years of discovering the alleged error or injustice, as required by Section 1552 of Title 10, United States Code, and Air Force Instruction 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR).  The Board does not find it in the interest of justice to waive the three-year filing requirement.  Therefore, other than administrative corrections noted above, the Board finds the application untimely and recommends against correcting the applicant’s records.

RECOMMENDATION

The Board recommends informing the applicant the application was not timely filed; it would not be in the interest of justice to excuse the delay; and the Board will reconsider the application only upon receipt of relevant evidence not already presented.

CERTIFICATION

The following quorum of the Board, as defined in Air Force Instruction (AFI) 36-2603, Air Force Board for Correction of Military Records (AFBCMR), paragraph 1.5, considered Docket Number BC-2018-00742 in Executive Session on 3 Mar 22:

, Panel Chair 
, Panel Member
, Panel Member

All members voted against correcting the record.  The panel considered the following:

Exhibit A:	Application, DD Form 149, w/atchs, dated 14 Feb18.
Exhibit B:	Documentary evidence, including relevant excerpts from official records.
Exhibit C:	Advisory Opinion, AFPC/DP3SP, dated 29 Sep 21.
Exhibit D:	Notification of Advisory, SAF/MRBC to Applicant, dated 22 Oct 21.

Taken together with all Exhibits, this document constitutes the true and complete Record of Proceedings, as required by AFI 36-2603, paragraph 4.11.9.